Why Bikes

Welcome to Bike Lady, Inc.

A nonprofit on training wheels.

WHY BIKES

THE PHILOSOPHY

Think back to some of your favorite childhood activities. Riding your bike might come to mind. Your bike allowed you to visit friends, go to the pool, sports, the park, school, a part-time job or just enjoy the sense of independence it provided.

Close your eyes. Think of all the gifts you received as a child. What is the singular one gift that you can recall the brand, color and style, the year you received it and under what circumstances. For many - this lifelong memory is the day you received your first new bike.

It’s clear that many families are currently facing tough economic times. Yet, you would probably agree that every kid should have a bike. Every kid deserves the fun and freedom a bike provides. And every kid should experience the thrill of getting a brand new shiny set of two wheels at least once during their childhood.

Children under the care of FCCS and their caretakers are governed by many regulations of what they can and cannot do. Riding a bike is one thing these kids can do without extraneous imposed rules -- just like any other kid. Further, without the help of the community and the FCCS Holiday Wish program, many of the 4500 children under the agency's care may not receive a single holiday gift. At least once in their life, these kids deserve something a little extra special.

Isn't a kid on a bike as American as

baseball and apple pie?

In addition to the thrill, excitement and mobility, a bike is exposure to exercise and a healthy lifestyle. It's a lesson in conservation and alternative transportation. These concepts might be new to many of the Agency's kids. For the younger ones, it's a rite of passage, an introduction to responsibility and often the first taste of independence -- all important developmental milestones in the life of a child. For the older children, it's an opportunity for an after-school job or sport, a way to get to the library or the rec center.

There is nothing quite like your first bike.

THE PITCH

Please consider making a monetary or bicycle donation to the Bike Lady. ALL proceeds will benefit the FCCS Holiday Wish program. Imagine the excitement and thrill you will make possible for a foster child. Imagine the freedom and fun the bike will provide for several years to come. Imagine making the 2011 holiday season truly unforgettable for a few kids. They will always remember 2011 as the year they received a brand new bike!

Bike Lady, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity. Therefore, your donation is 100% tax deductible. And every dollar raised goes directly towards the purchase of new bikes, helmets and locks.

Recipients of the bikes are children under legal custody of FCCS. They may live in foster care, with relatives, family friends, birth families or residential care. The holiday gift they receive from the FCCS Holiday Wish Program is likely to be the only gift for them under the tree...

Little bikes. Big bikes. Girl’s bikes. Boy’s bikes.

One-speed. Ten-speed.

Bikes for all kinds of teens and tykes!

Click HERE for donation instructions.